Speaking on the day that Jerry was laid to rest, rugby star Jonah Lomu was visibly emotional as he revealed that Collins died trying to protect his daughter, Ayla.
Ayla, who was taken to Montpellier Hospital after the shocking accident, has been in an induced coma since the car crash on June 5.
Paying tribute to Jerry after today’s funeral, Lomu said: “Listening to the reports and what they say about how they found him, that he was protecting his baby, that’s just typical Jerry.”
“You talk about laying your body on the line and he did that. Any parent knows that. You always have your friends and your family’s back all the time,” he added.
More than 3,000 people – including former colleagues and rugby legends – turned up for the moving memorial service.
Lomu said that the outpouring of love and emotion was symbolic of the impact Jerry had on the lives of those around him: “You just have to look around to know exactly what is fitting for him. Our hearts and thoughts go out to him.”
Last weekend, family members confirmed that baby Ayla is expected to wake from her induced coma within the next two weeks.
